The Arizona sentinel., 1887-09-03
QUININE AND HEALTH.
A Valuable Medicine Which Should, How
 ever, Not Be Used at Random.

| or Qulnlne upon human nealJn ana longevity. We do not wonder that such question is asked in many localities. Although we have never been able to verify the statement that in certain portions of the Western country it is the chief medium of ex- change in place of silver, we fear that the idea has some foundation. It is certain that no other drug has such a / large consumption, and that it has come to be regarded as a necessity of civilization. We almost wonder how our forefathers could have lived with out it. To those going into new re- i gions of country, it is a companion if they are wise. Scarcely any one now doubts its efficiency, not only in mala- rial seizures, but in warding off that most insidious miasm. It certainly forti- i fies the system, and acts as a prophy- tactic. So true is it, that those pass i ing for the first time into malarious region are the most liable to attack, that it almost seems rash to neglect it as precaution. Not less indispensable is it in the treatment of intermittent and remittent fever
 It seems to have been provided as the great specific of Nature Even to the physician who over and over again has witnessed its mastery, it is little less than miraculous how the shaking ague will yield to its control unless there are special complications, or un- less a habit of malarial subjection has been established. It has even extend ed its domain far beyond this. In other forms of fever, and in certain condi- tions of innervation or want of general tonicity, its largely available, although needing to be used with great discernment. There probably never was time in which the use of some form of Peruvian bark. under the name of china, cinchona, quinidia, etc., has been so extensive as at present. It may be said in general that the use of bitters did not begin with this, and that it has substituted many of them only because of its greater convenience anu lAo lllOlO OllCCllll tlIONA CDCOblNO forms. It is well known that the most of the bitter herbs have allied powers. They will diminish the amount of mucus in the stomach, fortify the nerv- ous system, and aid in giving tonicity to the tired and to the exhausted vi- tality.
 There are some reasons why such bitters as dogwood, wormwOod, hops, rue and some others should not be set aside. They have certain additional or modified effects which are recognized by those familiar with their use, and should be valued for their tonic effects. In the use of medication as well as in foods even a good medicine needs a change, and there is benefit in some other form, just as we change, with advantage. from one form of flesh to another We believe that in this age of strain and stress there is no class of materials that are so often needed as some of the multiplied forms of bitter trees, vegetables or herbs. Indeed, they belong so closely to the vegetable world, and contain so much that is allied to foods, or con- vertible thereinto, that they should hardly be regarded as medicines. The depressions from exposure to long winters and to excessive heat undoubt- edly respond to and are relieved by this kind of nurture. Enfeebled stom- ach digestion is often relieved thereby.
 But may there not be over-use, and especially of the cinchona prepara- tionsP Undoubtedly, and for this reason skilled medical and dietetic ad- vice is often needed. There are cases where the liver has become so en- gorged, or where by reason of some organic change either the power of quinine is suspended or made harmful. When the spleen has become enlarged by reason of severe or frequent at- tacks of malaria the absorbent or lymphatic system is so involved that the quinine when used has no effect or may even irritate. It is admitted that its continuous or uninterrupted use tends to produce congestion of the minute vessels of organs. So what in many cases is stimulus in the direction of cure may become, in an overtaxed organ, a congestant. The same might be true of a food. The ef- feet on the nervous system and the cir culation is shown by the sense of full ness in the head produced by large doses. We think that it can be as- serted that it is one of the most val uable of medicines, and has more claim to be called an accessory food than alcohol. Surely it should not be used at random, and the medical ad- wiser may need often to be consulted as to indications and contra-indica- tions for its use. But it can safely be said that it is less abused than most medicines, and that we may easily rank it as among the most valuable of American discoveries. While there is no such danger of acquiring a quinine habit as a morphine habit, the abuse of the drug is not uncommon.-M r. Independent.